Lock for end-gates.



PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906.

J. A. NICHOLAS. LOOK FOR END GATES.

APPLIUATION FILED SBPT.20,1905.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2

0 9 1 l i; l I rd uw IMP mmm (MM/21w W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. NICHOLAS, OF SHEFFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO 0. E. MOOULLOUGH, OF SHEFFIELD, ILLINOIS.

LOCK FOR END-GATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. N IGHOLAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheffield, in the county of Bureau and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for End-Gates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to looks for wagon end-gates and aims to provide a simple, yet positive, means of fastening for devices of that kind.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an endgate provided with my invention with the parts of the gate secured together. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the fastening released. i Y

, Similar characters refer to similar parts in both of the figures.

The end-gate comprises two parts 1 and 2, hingeably secured together in the usual manner. Fixed to the part 2 is a leaf 3, with its free end projected longitudinally of the part 1. In the end of the leaf 3 is fixed a plate 4, provided with an opening 5. Secured to the part 1, so as to project through the opening 5 when the leaf 3 is in contact with such part 1, is a keeper 6, and pivotally attached to the leaf 3, as at a, is a small hand-lever 7, to the upper end of which is pivotally secured a tapering bar 8, the free end of which is adapted to enter the keeper 6 when the parts of the end-gate are closed, as shown in the figures herein, and secure the same in such position. Fixed to the leaf 3 in rear of the bolt 8 is a spring 9, the free end of which engages a notch 10 in the rear end of the bolt 8.

11 is a guide secured to. the leaf 3, through which the bolt 8 passes.

I/Vhen the bolt is in position in the keeper 6, as shown in Fig. 1, the contact of the leaf 3 with the part 1 of the end-gate is maintained, the accidental release of the bolt being prevented by the spring 9. The folding of the parts 1 and 2 is thus prevented and the 'endgate retained in position in the end of the wagon. To remove the end-gate, the spring 9 is slightly raised by the operator and the bolt 8 released from the keeper by the operation of the lever 7. In returning the bolt to its former position the spring drops automatically into the notch 10 again. 7

My device is capable of use in other places than on end-gates, such as ordinary gates, doors, and the like. It is specially adapted to use on end-gates, however, on account of the j olting and jarring which such articles receive and the special provisions of my device for preventing the disturbance of the fastening thereby.

It will be seen that the device herein described comprises few parts and is susceptible of cheapness of manufacture.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a device of the class named, the combination of the hand-lever 7, pivotally supported upon one part of the gate the bolt 8, pivotally attached at its rear end to the upper end of the lever 7, and provided in its rear end with the notch 10; the spring 9, fixed in the rear of the bolt 8, and engaging the notch 10 means for guiding the bolt 8 and means for securing the free end of such bolt to the other part of the end-gate, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a device of the class named, the co1nbination, with the parts 1 and 2 of an endgate, of the leaf 3, fixed to the part 2, and provided in its free end with the opening 5; the keeper 6, fixed to the part 1, and engaging the hole 6; the bolt 8, suitably mounted on the leaf 3, and provided with the notch 10 the spring 9, in rear of the bolt 8, and en gaging the notch 10 and means for suitably actuating the bolt 8, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. NICHOLAS. Witnesses ETHAN E. AMES, CHARLES BARBER. 

